ALBUM REVIEW – THE SLOW READERS CLUB – “Knowledge Freedom Power”

 

 

REVIEW BY TAMSIN JONES 

Release date: Friday, February 24th 2023

 

PRE ORDER HERE

 

Overjoyed I was able to review the new album Knowledge Freedom Power released by Slow Readers Club. This is a band that I would describe as having volcano qualities, With their electronic undertones and hypnotic tempos of previous albums this one has the same effect but with an overflowing dose of optimisim.

knowledge Freedom Power produced by Joe Cross (Hurts/Courteeners) it will follow their 2020 Top 10 album ‘The Joy of the Return’ and previous self-released album ‘91 days in isolation‘ which was recorded one band member at a time. Its no surprise to see this album absorbing the enthusiasm,  the band must have had after recording together.

Opening track ‘Modernise’ hits you right between the ears, a wake up call. Aaron’s Starkies almost haunting vocals along carried along with the synthetic rocking beat, takes you back to the 80s. Frontman Aaron Starkie describes the single “It’s a song about the constant need to learn and adapt to changing circumstances, bit of a techno fear song. Partly inspired by having to work again when covid hit. It’s a familiar TSRC theme I guess about struggles with systems, life’s pressures and conformity.”

A majority of the album is a huge dose of optimisim ‘Sacred Song’ has a melody that sounds like a smile! that’s the only way I can describe it.

‘Lay your troubles on me’ is a comforting about us sticking together in a world ofbuilt up fear. A feeling of community after a time of forced separation, don’t be shocked if your smiling, dancing and hugging your neighbour by the end of the track.

Frontman Aaron Starkie says, “The world had got so bleak it felt a little indulgent to paint apocalyptic pictures when they were out in the real world. I thought people would probably want to hear more uplifting things, it was my intention to be a bit more positive. There’s still a lot of melodrama in there and it’s still dystopian in places but there’s more positive shades in this record.”

 

 

Throughout this album I’d agree the album delivers that feeling of euphoria and captures what humankind have brought out of bleak situations such as bringing together community,  love and friendship.

But at the same time addressing the harsh reality of what is also going on in the world, and our ever-growing powerlessness to it such as tracks ‘Seconds out’  and although it’s dark topic I’d say it’s one of my favourite off the album.

Frontman Aaron Starkie says, “The world had got so bleak it felt a little indulgent to paint apocalyptic pictures when they were out in the real world. I thought people would probably want to hear more uplifting things, it was my intention to be a bit more positive. There’s still a lot of melodrama in there and it’s still dystopian in places but there’s more positive shades in this record.”

The powerful punchy lyrics of the title track Knowledge Freedom Power gives a feel of staying united and being positive as a form of rebel in itself. Which is exactly what we all need.

The Slow Readers Club recently announced details of their 2023 headline tour, which has already sold-out its homecoming show at Manchester’s Albert Hall, as well as number of other dates Remaining tickets for the tour are available here

 

HEADLINE TOUR DATES

MARCH 2023

2nd–UK, Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Library

4th-UK, Leeds, University Stylus

6th-UK, Glasgow, SWG3

7th-UK, Aberdeen, Lemon Tree

9th-UK, Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

10th-UK, Birmingham, O2 Academy 2

11th-UK, Bristol, Thekla

13th-UK, Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms

14th-UK, London, Lafayette

17th-UK, Manchester, Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)

23rd-Germany, Berlin,Lido

24th-Germany, Hamburg, Übel & Gefährlich

25th-Belgium, Antwerp, Trix Club

30th-France, Paris, Supersonic

31st-Netherlands, Rotterdam, Rotown (SOLD OUT)

APRIL 2023

1st-Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso Tolhuistuin

14th-UK, Belfast, Limelight 2

15th-Ireland, Dublin, Academy

 

 

1/ MODERNISE

2/ AFTERLIFE

3/ SACRED SONG

4/ LAY YOUR TROUBLES ON ME

5/ HOW COULD YOU KNOW

6/ KNOWLEDGE FREEDOM POWER

7/ WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

8/ SECONDS OUT

9/ FORGET ABOUT ME

10/ NO YOU NEVER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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